My answer to this question was to go big on a budget.
Tascam US-1800 ($199) 16 Channel USB interface. 8 phantom pre, 2 adjustable 1/4" line, 4 line, and 2 SPDIF inputs
Roland UA-5 digimod (already owned) use for Pre > SPDIF
Laptop (already owned)
ProCo 16 Channel Split snake with stagebox and 2 50' tails. (used $400, new $1400)
When I record in a challenging room, talky crowds, bartender as FOH mixer, weird layout, I haul this rig out. Depending on what mics the house is using, i'll often supplement. One small room, vocals and kick are the often the only pa channels. I'll mic the bass and guitars, add 2 overheads behind the drummer aiming at drum tops. and take a split of their channels.
I'll also record two mics in the room or onstage aimed at the crowd to keep the live feel.
Only downside I have is that 16 tracks isn't nearly as flexible as you'd think. I've had 3 nights of music in the last month that could have used 24 channels of record easily.
Behringer X32 as a 32 channel interface is on my wishlist.